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WEATHER

Why this house in western Germany is sinking in the snow

The cold spell is still gripping Germany, with snow and plunging temperatures well below zero. So it’s no surprise that some towns have been blanketed in snow, creating memorable wintry weather scenes.

Why this house in western Germany is sinking in the snow
The 'Atlantis' artwork. Photo: DPA

However, we bet you’d still be shocked by these pictures from Bedburg-Hau near Kleve in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Yes, your eyes do not deceive you: this house is disappearing fast; it appears to have become almost completely buried in snowfall.

Yet on closer inspection, although this pretty brick building looks like it's been seriously affected by the frosty weather, this is no ordinary home: it's actually an art installation.

It's a piece by the Finnish artist Tea Mäkipää, which is on display at the Museum Schloss Moyland.

On Wednesday museum staff posted on Facebook that the snow had reached them.

The 44-year-old artist has created large installations across Europe. At the Moyland museum, Mäkipää produced a structure to look like it had sunk into the moat of the castle it is located beside.

The piece, named 'Atlantis', lies diagonally in the water, looking like it will sink at any moment, in front of a picturesque backdrop.

The artwork was created as part of a 2017 exhibition featured in the museum called Early Harvest, which focused on the theme of climate change and global warming.

Here's what Atlantis usually looks like. File photo: DPA

While the exhibition has long since finished, Atlantis remains in Bedburg-Hau. And since the moat around the castle is frozen and snow-covered thanks to the frosty temperatures, it looks as if the house may completely sink into the snow.

The museum staff also posted a picture of the exhibit in the evening when there were lights on, and joked that they think someone lives in it.

Cold snap continues

Meanwhile, the wintry weather is continuing across Germany. Although temperatures will increase in some parts, snow and ice are expected to stay.

Forecasters at the German Weather Service (DWD) said there could be more snow in North Rhine-Westphalia, reported RP Online.

However, as the temperature increases slightly, cold rain will fall creating black ice underfoot and on roads.

Drivers and pedestrians have been urged to take care.

There was also snow forecast in parts of Berlin, Brandenburg, Saxony and the south of Germany. An orange level 2 weather warning was in place for much of the country, including western parts, on Friday due to danger of ice. The highest level is 4.

A yellow level one warning was in place for snow in the east and south.

Sheep covered in snow in Bedburg-Hau, North Rhine-Westphalia on Friday. Photo: DPA


Snow fell in Berlin on Friday. Photo: DPA

 

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WEATHER

‘Turbo spring’: Germany to see temperatures above 25C

Germany is set for a blast of warm weather in the coming week as the colder spell eases off.

'Turbo spring': Germany to see temperatures above 25C

“The late winter weather of the past few days with frost and snow is a thing of the past for the time being, and spring will kick into turbo gear over the next few days,” said meteorologist Adrian Leyser from the German Weather Service (DWD) on Friday.

Temperatures are expected to rise sharply over the weekend with plenty of sunshine, forecasters said. In Germany anything above 25C is classed as a summer day. “The summer mark of 25C will be cracked regionally as early as Sunday,” said Leyser.

It comes as snow and hail hit Germany last week, and temperatures fell below freezing in some places.

But showers and thunderstorms are still possible in the west and north of Germany. Maximum temperatures there are expected to reach around 20C. 

According to the DWD, spring will get a little damper on Monday, with a few rain spells.  “However, the next low pressure system over Western Europe is preparing to turn on the warm air jet again from Tuesday,” said the meteorologist.

On Wednesday – which is a public holiday across Germany for International Workers’ Day – temperatures could soar nearer 30C. 

“In the south and east, we are even approaching the 30C mark,” said Leyser. However, the weather will remain “susceptible to disruption”, said Leyser, especially in the west where there is a risk of isolated and sometimes severe thunderstorms.

READ ALSO: What to do on May 1st in Germany

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